Our Annual CEIST Conference was another great success.
Over the two days which it was held we had CEIST members from all over the county attend.
To begin the Conference attendees had the opportunity to either play Golf at the Glasson Golf Club or attend the Meditation Workshop lead by Bryan O’Reilly.
This was then followed Tea/Coffee and a chance for the attendees to interact with the Exhibitors on the day.
The Conference officially began with our Gathering Prayer and Mass which was celebrated by Most Rev Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry.
In addition to this we had the pleasure of listening to the amazing vocal talents of the choir from Schola: St Joseph’s Secondary School, Navan. 
Following our Mass we then had our Welcoming Address from the CEIST CEO, Maeve Mahon who welcomed everyone in attendance. In addition to this Paul McEvoy the Chairperson of the CEIST Board of Directors also offered words of welcome.
The attendees were then once again introduced to the Cothú initiative which was launched last year in several of our schools. This small panel then explained, to those both familiar with the initiative and unfamiliar, the progress of the program so far. This was broken down into How it Works, Why your School Might Chose Cothú, What to expect and what to do if you wish to join the next wave of Cothú Schools.
Next we had the privilege of hearing Student Voice from Divine Luke-Letlhake who is the Head Girl from St Mary’s College Arklow. Her speech was one of the highlights of the day. Please see below the recording of her amazing piece.
We then had an address from our Keynote Speaker, Rev Professor Michael Conway, and his passionate topic which he titled ‘Beyond Cain and Abel: Catholic School Identity’
Following his speech Rev Professor Conway then took questions from those present.
Day one of the conference finished with Gala Dinner and all attendees had an opportunity to mingle with old as well as new friends.
Day Two of the Conference began with our three individual Workshops. These were as follows.
Legacy, Leadership & Resolution: Building Peaceful School Environments by Róisín McDaid
A reflective and practical workshop exploring how Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches can support school leaders in fostering respectful relationships, upholding core values, and remaining compliant with relevant legislation within the school community.
Provision Mapping in Christ King Girl’s Secondary School by Richel Long & Elaine Connor
Provision Mapping is a unique approach to how post-primary schools plan, deliver, and evaluate inclusive education. At its heart, Provision Mapping is a whole-school, evidence-based process that captures every support and intervention a school offers across the Continuum of Support in a single, strategic overview.
Leading Meetings for Better Outcomes by Rachel Doogue
This interactive workshop provided Principals, Deputies, Chairpersons and anyone leading meetings with the opportunity to consider how to maximise the effectiveness of meetings and enhance working with the ISM team, staff, committees, parents, and board members.
Following the Workshops and a brief Tea/Coffee break we had our second Keynote Speaker Martina Mannion who is the Assistant Secretary Special Education NEPs & Redress. Her address spoke about the importance of moving toward a more inclusive education system in our schools.
Following her address those in attendance then had the opportunity to ask Martina questions regarding the importance of inclusion in our schools.
Our Conference ended with a Scattering Prayer which was accompanied by the vocal talents of the Choir from St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina.